Backlight Unit Voltage Control for Driver IC Power Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
The increasing size of LCD panels necessitates a higher number of light source strings, which in turn requires more driver ICs, leading to inefficiencies in power control and potential overheating due to limited channel processing capabilities of each driver IC.
Innovation Solution
A backlight unit incorporating a boosting circuit, light source unit, driving circuits, a minimum voltage detecting circuit, and a voltage control circuit to manage and control the light source driving voltage, allowing for effective detection of minimum voltage feedback and regulation of power consumption across multiple driver ICs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If the number of light source strings is increased to accommodate larger LCD panels, then the illumination area is improved, but the number of driver ICs required increases leading to higher power consumption and system complexity
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple driver ICs are merged into a single control architecture where one driver IC manages multiple light source strings by sequentially controlling different channels. The feedback voltages from multiple strings are combined and processed by a single minimum voltage detecting circuit, reducing the total number of driver ICs required in the system.
Solution Approach 2:
The driver IC is designed with multi-functionality to control multiple light source strings through different channels rather than being dedicated to a single string. This universal control approach allows one driver IC to perform the work of multiple dedicated driver ICs, reducing system complexity while maintaining the ability to illuminate larger areas.
2Adaptability or versatility
If more driver ICs are used to control increased number of light source strings, then the control capability is improved, but the power consumption and heat generation increase
Solution Approach 1:
The power consumption issue is addressed by merging multiple driver IC functions into a single driver IC that sequentially controls multiple light source strings. By combining the control functions and using a shared feedback processing architecture, the total power consumption is reduced compared to using multiple independent driver ICs, while still maintaining the capability to control a large number of light source strings.
Solution Approach 2:
The driver IC employs periodic action by sequentially controlling different channels of light source strings at different time intervals. This time-division multiplexing approach allows a single driver IC to control multiple strings without requiring continuous high power operation of multiple simultaneous control circuits, thereby reducing overall power consumption and heat generation.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the number of driver ICs is increased to maintain control over more light source strings, then the system adaptability is improved, but the device size and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system architecture merges multiple driver IC functions into a single integrated control unit that can adaptively control a variable number of light source strings. This consolidation reduces the physical size of the control circuitry while maintaining system adaptability through software or control logic that can configure the single driver IC to handle different numbers and arrangements of light source strings.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This configuration enables efficient power management, reduces power consumption, and prevents overheating by controlling the voltage level of the light source driving voltage, thereby optimizing the number of driver ICs required and maintaining system efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a boosting circuit, configured to boost an input voltage to a light source driving voltage
Implementation Method 2
The light source unit includes a plurality of light source strings commonly connected to an output terminal of the boosting circuit to generate a light in response to the light source driving voltage
Data Source
AI summary
In a display apparatus having a backlight unit, a light unit includes plural light source strings commonly connected to an output terminal of a boosting circuit to generate light in response to a light source driving voltage. The light source strings are grouped into plural light generating groups. Plural driving circuits are respectively connected to the light generating groups, and each driving circuit sequentially outputs feedback voltages from the light source strings of a corresponding light generating group. A minimum voltage detecting circuit compares the feedback voltages with each other from the driving circuits to detect a minimum voltage and outputs a control signal according to the detected minimum voltage. A voltage control circuit controls a voltage level of the light source driving voltage in response to the control signal. Accordingly, although the number of the driving circuits increases, power consumption used in each driving circuit may be reduced.